Thursday, July 28, 2011

Chives


For years I have had a chive plant in my garden, as do many people. I have always wanted to dry the leaves and use them through the winter. So this year was finally the year...

I waited until the blossoms faded, and cut it down to about 1"-2" high.


I brought the leaves inside and proceeded to separate the leaves from the flower stocks.



I then picked out all the nice fresh green leaves. As you can see I have placed them on racks in preparation for drying. About this time I thought it might be a good idea to read up a bit on this process. So after googling "drying chives" I came to the realization that drying the leaves removes the flavor. It was suggested several times that the easiest way was to chop them up, put them in an airtight container, and put them in your fridge freezer. This way they are close at hand and you can take out just the amount you need.


I proceeded to chop them up as directed and place in an air tight container.


It is important not to get any water in the container with your chopped chives. They would freeze into a clump, and not enable you to take out small quantities.

Using chives:
-when using chives in your cooking, always add just as you are serving. Cooking removes the wonderful onion flavor, and beautiful green color.
-sprinkle on soups
-chop and add to salads
-garnish quiche, and any egg dish
-garnish baked, mashed, roasted, and scalloped potatoes
-crumble the flowers and sprinkle on salads
-use a chive leaf to tie up bundles of vegetables


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16 comments:

  1. Hi Tanya, is it hot where you live? Thanks for this tip on freezing chives. I also have them in my yard but never tried to freeze them. Now I will. xo,

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  2. I have a HUGE clump of chives in the veggie and herb garden and I adore them! Reminiscent of my grandmother's backyard garden...we'd eat the chives right then and there :)

    Judy@cutest-little-things.blogspot.com

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  3. Great post and wonderful information! I'll be freezing my chives, just like you recommended. I am a new follower!
    Yvonne

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  4. Thank you for sharing this! We tried growing chives this year and they didn't stand up to the heat but we're not giving up. I'll definitely plant them again and try drying some. Great post!

    Nancy

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  5. I have been wondering what to do with them...I have a bunch in my garden!

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  6. I do the same thing with all my garden herbs! I chop some like chives, and puree the more fragile herbs like basil, which I then freeze in ice cube trays and then pop them out and store them in a freezer zip lock. They are handy to add later to soups and sauces.

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  7. I have a garden, but for some reason I've never planted chives. I'm going to put that on my plant list for next year. Did you start them from seed?
    Thanks for the tutorial for freezing them.
    Hugs,
    Babs

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  8. Thanks for the great tips! Glad you added your link to Beach Cottage Good Life Wednesdays.

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  9. I love chives and would love to have a chives plant.

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  10. OH this is wonderful! I just love chives! mine are so puny right now! Yours looks beautiful!
    Kathy

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  11. Nice to know you can freeze them! My chives are 3 years old now and getting quite big:@)

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  12. I don't know why it didn't occur to me to freeze them! Thanks for the tip :-)

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  13. Chives are a favorite herb -- I love their mild oniony flavor. Alas, I don't freeze mine -- I just don't take the trouble. Have you ever made chive blossom vinegar -- a lovely pink vinegar with a mild oniony flavor!!!!

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  14. Great idea. Thanks for the tip. Will definitely try this.

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  15. Hi Tanya,
    I really enjoyed your post about Chives. I have several Chives plants in my Herb Garden and I will certainly have to try freezing them as a method of preserving them. Thanks for the tip!
    Miz Helen

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  16. I just love the flowers of chives and have them planted between my roses to deter pests. will try this for sure!

    Veronica

    www.tasselsandtwigs.blogspot.com

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